When Fancypants Beauty Pros Cheap Out, This Is What They Buy

I can appreciate a quachillion-dollar handbag as much as the next girl, but deep down, I'll always be more of a thrifty chick. (I think this results from growing up in Maine, where it's hard to acquire expensive taste even if you try; the official state handbag is the L.L. Bean Boat & Tote.) Thus, I love when a well-known makeup artist or hairstylist reveals his or her lowbrow alternative to a favorite pricey product.

MAC Strobe is the secret potion that gets models' skin sexy sheen in magazine photo spreads and gives celebrities that red-carpet glow from head to toe. One favorite drugstore alternative was Nivea's shimmer lotion (remember that?), but now that it's discontinued, many pros rely on plain old Nivea Body Lotion. It's so rich that it gives skin a super soft and slightly shiny finish--making it a perfect thing to use for nights out when you want to spotlight certain parts of your bod.

FHI and Linea Pro are two flat iron brands that celebrity hairstylists can't live without; they use the irons to both straighten hair and to create loose hairbot waves. Here's a secret, though; Andy LeCompte--who styles the likes of Nicole Richie, Penelope Cruz, Lindsay Lohan and Fergie--recently told me he loves this Vidal Sassoon waver as an inexpensive and easy alternative. I bet it's an easier way to get those waves, too, since I've experienced firsthand how tricky curling with a flatiron can be.

MAC Teddy is one liner almost every pro carries in her kit. However, one told me on the DL that this shimmery brown Maybelline pencil is a very, very close match to the cult favorite.

Do you use any of the above? Have you ever discovered a less-expensive version of a product you'd been investing in? Anyone looking for an affordable knockoff of a fancy beauty item? Let's swap shopping stories and maybe we'll all save some cash. Want more thrifty product picks? Check out all our under-$10 favorites.